Madam Bai and Prime Minister Bai had been married for many years. Although both were over sixty and had one foot in the grave, the sudden return of the Prime Minister without any preparation had terrified her.
"Master, Master... wake up, you can't just leave me alone like this."
Madam Bai wept sorrowfully. The First Madam, Lin Shi, and the Fourth Madam, Princess Wen Yi, also dabbed their eyes with handkerchiefs. Madam Shen remained silent, unable to even feign grief.
The eldest son, Bai Chao'an, and the fourth son, Bai Chaohe, stood with their hands behind their backs in the inner room. Hearing the heart-wrenching cries of their relatives, their own hearts felt as if they were being twisted.
The Bai family's enduring prosperity relied entirely on their father.
If their father were to fall this time, could they, these "unfilial descendants," uphold the family's reputation?
The imperial physician who had accompanied them provided a prescription, but his expression was grim. Yet, he had to maintain appearances for Madam Bai, saying, "Madam Hui Ming, please try to be at ease. The Prime Minister is old and naturally has minor ailments. As long as you pay attention to his daily care, there is no major issue."
Upon hearing this, the old madam's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, relaxed a little.
However, as the imperial physician turned to look at the two Bai brothers, he shook his head slightly.
The brothers gritted their teeth fiercely, daring not to reveal anything, fearing they would alarm their mother. If she were to collapse from the shock, the Bai family would face even greater sorrow.
"You all stay here to take care of things. I will take the imperial physician to inquire about the medicine with Fourth Brother."
Bai Dalang instructed Lin Shi, but his grief was evident in his eyes, which Lin Shi could not miss. Lin Shi frowned.
The two brothers glanced at Madam Bai's retreating figure. Seeing Lin Shi nod and softly say "Don't worry," Bai Dalang then led the imperial physician to the side room.
As soon as they entered, he anxiously asked, "Imperial Physician, what is wrong with my father?"
"Prime Minister Bai is likely beyond saving. His pulse is intermittent, and he is only holding on due to the effects of the ginseng. But now that he is unconscious, even forcing medicine down would be useless. If... if he doesn't wake up in two or three days, I fear... I fear the Bai family will have to prepare for the Prime Minister's funeral."
The imperial physician's words were like a bolt from the blue, startling the two brothers so much that they almost fainted on the spot.
He had been fine when he left in the morning. How could he be on the brink of death in such a short time?
"I don't believe it, I don't believe it! I'll go find Er Lang right away. Last time, Brother-in-law's severe injury and Yun He's illness were all cured by Divine Doctor Zhang. If we can get him here, perhaps there's still a glimmer of hope!"
Fourth Son Bai Chaohe said, already running outside, his expression desperate. He wished he could instantly appear before Feng Er and ask him to summon Divine Doctor Zhang.
Although the imperial physician served the royal family, he had heard of Divine Doctor Zhang's reputation and did not object.
"My skills are inadequate. If Divine Doctor Zhang can be invited, perhaps the Prime Minister can truly be saved."
"Your benevolence and skill are greatly appreciated. If His Majesty inquires, I would trouble you to report truthfully. My father has dedicated his life to Da Jin. If this is truly his fate... then it is the destiny of the Bai family."
The imperial physician sighed. Although he had not had much interaction with the Bai family, Prime Minister Bai had served as an official for decades and had done much for Da Jin. As a subject of Da Jin, he naturally knew of his contributions and offered comfort.
"Lord Bai, rest assured, I will do my utmost."
"In that case, I will trouble the Imperial Physician."
The imperial physician wrote the prescription, immediately went to fetch the medicine, and then personally supervised the Bai mansion's servants in decocting it, not daring to delay for a moment.
In Pear Blossom Lane, the door of Divine Doctor Zhang's residence was knocked upon repeatedly.
"Coming, coming," came the voice of Aunt Zhang from inside. Soon, the door opened.
Upon seeing Feng Er, Aunt Zhang was somewhat surprised. She peered outside, "Isn't the Third Miss here?"
"Auntie, I apologize for the disturbance. My maternal grandfather is on the verge of death. Is Divine Doctor Zhang at home?" Feng Er was anxious, and the Bai Fourth Master beside him was even more so. If he hadn't been mindful of being in a civilian residence, he might have barged in to seize the doctor.
Hearing this, Aunt Zhang also became anxious.
"He is here, he is here. He didn't go to the mountains today." She turned and shouted into the inner room, "Old man, old man!"
Divine Doctor Zhang poked his head out. Seeing Feng Er again, with an unfamiliar middle-aged man standing beside him, his expression immediately soured. "Does it seem like I'm the only one in the entire capital who knows how to treat illnesses? Why do you always come looking for me?"
"Divine Doctor Zhang, my maternal grandfather's illness cannot wait. Please accompany me first. You can punish me however you wish afterward."
With that, he rushed into the house, his medicine chest already slung across his shoulder, pulling and dragging Divine Doctor Zhang out.
"You brat, slow down, slow down!"
He grumbled and cursed, but his footsteps followed closely.
Everyone knew that Feng Er's maternal grandfather was Prime Minister Bai. He had once shown kindness to Prince Ding, so it was not unreasonable to treat him.
The carriage sped quickly. It took less than an hour for Bai Fourth Master to leave and return, leaving him drenched in sweat and his clothes soaked.
Seeing that Divine Doctor Zhang had been invited, Madam Bai immediately understood. She grabbed Lin Shi's hand and asked, "Is it the Master's body..."
The words were left unspoken, but those who understood knew. Lin Shi, unable to conceal it any longer, reluctantly nodded. "The Imperial Physician could do nothing, but Fourth Brother has invited Divine Doctor Zhang, so perhaps there is hope. Mother, don't worry. Let him examine the patient first."
After helping Madam Bai aside, Divine Doctor Zhang was able to approach the bedside.
Prime Minister Bai's face was flushed, and his pulse was indeed precarious. He pulled down his collar, rolled up his sleeves, and examined the area behind his ears before saying, "It is not smallpox, nor is it an incurable disease."
Everyone present breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good, that's good. But why isn't Master waking up?"
Madam Bai voiced the question on everyone's mind, but Divine Doctor Zhang did not answer.
Feng Er, being observant, noticed that besides family members, there were also servants attending to the patient, and the imperial physician who had brought the medicine. He suspected Divine Doctor Zhang had something difficult to say. He tugged at his Fourth Uncle's sleeve and gestured.
Bai Fourth Master was not foolish and quickly understood. "Eldest Sister-in-law, why don't we step out? There are too many people in this room. Doesn't Divine Doctor Zhang always dislike having people around when he examines patients?"
As he spoke, those who understood the implication knew. The imperial physician, being knowledgeable about medical practices, understood that some practitioners had their own methods they preferred not to share with outsiders, and thus he was quite understanding and was the first to leave.
Following that, Lin Shi led the attending servants out, leaving only Madam Bai, Bai Dalang, Bai Fourth Master, and Feng Er in the room.
Seeing that most people had left, Divine Doctor Zhang took a golden-red bottle from his medicine chest and held it under Prime Minister Bai's nose. Soon, the Prime Minister, who had been in a deep sleep, stirred awake.